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– The purpose of the paper is to present the influence open access initiatives (OAIs) have on journal cancellations in university libraries in South Africa.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to present the influence open access initiatives (OAIs) have on journal cancellations in university libraries in South Africa.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper is based on part of a doctoral research project which examined the crisis in scholarly communication and its effect on university libraries in South Africa that was carried out at the University of KwaZulu-Natal from 2005 to 2009. Part of the investigation focused on open access (OA) and how it influenced journal cancellations. The survey methodology was adopted and the study used a quantitative approach to collect data on the influence of OA.
Findings
The findings revealed that OAIs had a very limited influence on journal cancellations in South African university libraries.
Practical implications
The study presents data that can be used by university libraries to develop, support and facilitate access to local research.
Originality/value
The study provides data on which future developments in OA as a solution to university library journal cancellations could be based.
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The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of exchange rates of foreign currencies on the material budget in the libraries in India.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the effects of exchange rates of foreign currencies on the material budget in the libraries in India.
Design/methodology/approach
A sample of journals costing in foreign currency was selected for the purpose of study. A comparison of inflation rate pertaining to serial price is done with the general rate of inflation in India.
Findings
The paper finds that exchange rates of foreign currencies have extensive impact on the acquisitions budget of the libraries in India.
Practical implications
Academic institutions may protect the buying powers of the libraries while allocating funds, keeping in mind the strengthening or weakening of Indian Rupee in comparison to foreign currencies.
Originality/value
This is one of the comprehensive studies on the impact of foreign exchange on subscription in Indian libraries system.
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This paper aims to examine the reasons for the high costs of scholarly journals.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the reasons for the high costs of scholarly journals.
Design/methodology/approach
A brief review of the literature on journal publishing costs is carried out. The paper focuses on the economics of scholarly English language journals published mainly in the USA and Europe, but which are sold worldwide, largely to academic and research libraries.
Findings
Journal literature has long played a prominent role in the scholarly communication chain. In recent decades, however, the scholarly communication system has been facing a crisis due to the ever‐escalating costs of journals. Two of the features of the journal publishing industry cited a decade ago and still valid today are a lack of competition and perverse incentives. “First‐copy cost” is reported to be the main reason for high journal prices both in print and electronic publishing.
Originality/value
The paper provides a useful overview to researchers and document supply librarians, enabling them to achieve quickly a clear picture of journal publishing industry costs.
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S. Michael Malinconico and Jane C. Warth
Librarians are finding it increasingly difficult to acquire and to make available to their users the full range of information in print form that they require. Electronic…
Abstract
Librarians are finding it increasingly difficult to acquire and to make available to their users the full range of information in print form that they require. Electronic information products and services are appearing at a rapidly increasing rate. Users find them attractive and, when available, use them more heavily than print sources. Consequently, librarians in response to the demands of users, and overwhelmed by the problems posed by print publications, are attempting to make electronic sources available. This paper describes the nature of the problems posed by print publications and trends involving the use of electronic documents in libraries. It discusses the progress made toward introducing electronic documents as alternatives, and complements, to print collections. It also describes a study that the IFLA Information Technology Section is undertaking to assess how rapidly libraries are adopting alternatives to locally held, print sources.
The paper seeks to reconsider open access and its relation to issues of “development” by highlighting the ties the open access movement has with the hegemonic discourse of…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper seeks to reconsider open access and its relation to issues of “development” by highlighting the ties the open access movement has with the hegemonic discourse of development and to question some of the assumptions about science and scientific communication upon which the open access debates are based. The paper also aims to bring out the conflict arising from the convergence of the hegemonic discourses of science and development with the contemporary discourse of openness.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper takes the form of a critical reading of a range of published work on open access and the so‐called “developing world” as well as of various open access declarations. The argument is supported by insights from post‐development studies.
Findings
Open access is presented as an issue of moral concern beyond the narrow scope of scholarly communication. Claims are made based on hegemonic discourses that are positioned as a priori and universal. The construction of open access as an issue of unquestionable moral necessity also impedes the problematisation of its own heritage.
Originality/value
This paper is intended to open up the view for open access's less obvious alliances and conflicting discursive ties and thus to initiate a politisation, which is necessary in order to further the debate in a more fruitful way.
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Abstract
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The purpose of this paper is to review the current LIS literature for document supply and related issues.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review the current LIS literature for document supply and related issues.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper is based on the reading of over 150 journals, reports and websites.
Findings
It was found that the economic situation is generating significant resistance to publisher price rises. Particular attention is paid to patron‐driven purchases of monographs.
Originality/value
This is the only regular review of the LIS literature with document supply in mind.
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